Frame counter in camera design is usually
placed close to film advance lever or to be more appropriate, near the shutter release
button for easy reference. Naturally, you eyes will locate the exposures taken and
always being informed on the latest status for frames taken and the remaining frames
available. Well, at the initial few frames before the camera is ready for exposures
with the film loaded, few blanks shots are for 'throwing' away the exposed negative/positive
during the process of slotting the film leader into the film take up spool. This
is to make sure unfogged film is in position behind the shutter.

I can't remember which camera was the
first to start with "Intelligent" frame counter (Canon A-1
has that feature way back in 1977 when mounted with a dedicated flash in auto mode,
the Nikon FE 1978 and Nikon EM
(1979) will work in the same manner only (1/90 sec) if you used the dedicated SB-10
(SB-E, SB15 etc.) - but none has tackled the issue in mode other than in the flash
mode). The Nikon F3 in 1980 with 1/80 sec was the first Nikon has that "Intelligent"
frame counter feature incorporated in manual or in auto mode.

What it means is: Until the frame counter
reaches the first frame, the shutter automatically fires at 1/250 sec. even with
the camera set on Auto. This ensures there will be no unduly long exposures when
making those first few blank shots during film loading. What it means is, the FE2
will operate in Manual Mode until the film counter reaches frame number 1. The light
meter in the camera also deactivates and rest at the M position) until frame "1"
shows in the counter window (The F3, a numeral of '80' (1/80 sec.) will be shown
in the LCD window).

Remember those days where accidentally
putting a lens cap on or firing a shots in dark surrounding ? You have to manually
unlock the shutter speed ring to M90 (FE, EM), 'T' or use the mechanical lever on
the F3 to release the shutter. Although a seasoned photographer will know how to
'steal' additional two frames from the earlier design and may not appreciate so much,
but nevertheless, this feature is welcome by most users in general.

Double Exposure Lever Prior to the Nikon FM
in 1977, I wouldn't say double exposure operation in Nikon camera is enjoyable to
used. Confidence level is another thing. As most cameras during those period were
utilizing the rewind button to disengage the film advance mechanism. The Nikkormat
models, don't even mentioned this in their spec sheet). The Nikon F2 improved a lot
in terms of accuracy and registration of overlapping frames.

The FM, changed that by design
and relocated a new dedicated lever on top of the body (Not at the familiar position
near the film advance lever as with today's FM2 or FE series models, but just beside
the pentaprism). The FE in 1978 changed the design to that position as it allows
a photography to handle this task in a single hand operation - even work in conjunction
with motor drive for rapid sequential shots in succession

The FE2 (FM2 series and FA) has retained this unique and very functional design.
To operate, take the first shot. Then, pull the multiple exposure lever with your
index finder (1), use your thumb to advance the film (2).
Before you perform this task, ALWAYStake
a look at the frame counter and remember what is the current frame number first, you will notice that the frame counter does
not advance as you advance the film. Now the second exposure can be made on the same
frame, and should additional multiple exposures be needed, simply repeat the above
procedure (But keep an eye on the frame number to confirm if you had done it in the
right manner). Note: Some compensation on exposure must be made if
you intend to use multiple exposure operations because the amount of light striking
the film more than once is additive but not as in mathematical sum 1+1 = 2. Because
the subsequent exposure is less than dominant, just compensate a little in addition
to normal exposure settings are probably adequate. While there is no definitive guide,
experimental calculations is essential to achieve more desirable results.

Film Advance Lever Speaking about the film advance lever, the FE2's
advance lever completes a film advance to the next frame by a 135° stroke. A
safety feature built in is: The shutter will not trip unless the lever is fully being
advanced or cocked. Nikon cameras are always famed for their silky-smooth film advance
and transport.

The FE2 has four clusters of ball bearings
which has reduced film winding torque that has helped the winding of the FE2, apart
from providing that smooth operation and also make it possible to work in short-stroke
film advances.

When the film advance lever is in the
30° "standoff" position, the shutter release is unlocked, (This action
is very straight forward in the earlier FE where, apart from unlocking the shutter
release, the light meter is also activated). On the FE2, pulling the lever out from
the flush-in position will unlock the shutter release, but the meter will not activated
yet, it will only be activated when shutter release is pressed down halfway. Furthermore,
the mechanical action is at 1/250 sec, the meter needle will rest at the bottom until
it reaches frame number '1'. As for all the various shutter speed scales presented
in the shutter speed ring and their related functions, exposure control methods,
these have been discussed in the camera operations section. You may cross over
to that section for cross reference.

The last undisclosed feature provides
on FE2's right portion on the top panel is the film plane indicator (the symbol of
a circle bisected by a short line).

It is precisely engraved at a
distance of 46.5 mm from the front of the lens mounting flange. While today's Nikon's
system accessories for macrophotography, it was a hardly used feature. But for those
whose works demand a exacting measurement this feature is placed for that reference.
Hey.. how about the camera servicing reference ?..

W A R N I N
G: The
New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no
aperture ring on the lens, they CANNOT ADJUST APERTURES
with any of these manual focus Nikon
FE series SLR camera models; please ignore some portion of the content contained
herein this site where it relates.

| Message Board|
for your Nikkor
optics("shared"
because I do wish some of you to expose to other's perspective as well. Isn't it
a sad sate to see photography has to be segmented into different camps from the use
of various labels)

Credit: Chuck Hester for some of his beautiful images used
in this site; TedWengelaar®,Hollandfor
his continuous flow of input; LarsHolstHansen, Danish 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion;
Mr Poon from Poon photo for their input; Ms Miss Rissa (Sales Manager) & members of the Technical
Service dept. of Shriro Malaysia, local distributor of Nikon cameras in Malaysia
& Singapore, in providing so many useful input to make this site possible. Special
thanks to Mr MC
Lau, who has helped
with his images of the MF-12 databack. Michael Tan, Pertama Photo (603-2926505) for
lending his original Titanium Shutter Display Unit. Dave Hoyt who has prepared the introductory page and offer some images of his
FE2 in this site.. Hiura Shinsaku, Nikomat ML, Japan
for his contribution on all the various images; A contributing site to a long
lost friend
on the Net. Note: Certain content
and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets,
brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality
of their own work to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator
of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such
possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat",
"Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan.
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witha PowerMac.